Saving hands

Going through life waiting for others to solve my situations is not my thing. I may need help at some point, but I like to do things on my own.

Everyday life constantly tests us and trying to better ourselves is an attractive challenge. I am of the opinion that it is always worth trying, even if it doesn't work out the first time.

The use of my hands in personal and family projects has saved me on many occasions from hiring specialised labour (or not so specialised, but who charge you an arm and a leg for what they do) and paying for it. Doing things to my taste and in my own time is very important to me and I really enjoy doing it.

I have a great passion for handicrafts and when I venture into a project, I always try to make sure that it is a practical solution and not just a simple ornament. When my hands come into contact with the materials and tools it is like a big party where everyone dances harmoniously.

It may happen that in this dance not everyone knows which aisle to take, and I may be beaten in the moment of the dance, but this does not prevent me from continuing to the end of my song. This happened for example with that shampoo knob that I turned into a lamp and the moon-shaped cuts were not very neat, because I didn't have the right instruments. Definitely aesthetically it was not impeccable, but it has been useful and gives me the light that I wanted to have with it. But I didn't get discouraged, on the contrary, it gave me more strength to keep on working hard and continue improving my handicrafts.

I find satisfaction in every piece I make and it is well received by others. This gives me a measure that I am useful and that they count on me. I also feel indebted to nature and so I try to help as much as possible with my projects by giving objects a second chance by recycling them. I remember a star-shaped case I made for my little niece; some earrings I gave myself made with buttons, thread and scraps of fabric; a cushion as a gift to my mum for her bed; and a necklace charm for a friend's mum.

Repairing some things also gives me satisfaction, because all is not lost if you look at it with love and think about saving what has been destroyed. Bringing an object back to useful life makes us enjoy its goodness for a longer period of time and reduces monetary expenses. A few months ago I fixed my baby's walker, as she was in danger of falling because of the torn fabric of the seat.

Our hands are a treasure that, if we know how to use them correctly, will give us a lot of satisfaction. Practice is what makes us masters, so doing it again and again will make it better and better. I respect and admire all people who make something with their own hands. I enjoy from the first idea that comes to my head and then I transform it looking to improve it, up to every detail of its making. Seeing how it takes shape as I change something, whether it's cutting, gluing, sewing, it's something magical and it makes me live.

Being useful is a nice way to serve in life. There is no greater fulfilment than living doing what you are passionate about and being useful at the same time. Being happy is a choice, and I choose to be happy.

What about you, do you like to create and work with your own hands or do you prefer to pay for it?